The Copyright Office launched a new blog today to encourage discussion about the Copyright Digitization and Public Access Project. The multiyear project will make records from 1870 through 1977 (some 70 million in total) available in a searchable database already containing entries from 1978 to the present. Many of the pre-1978 records remain relevant today in determining the copyright status of works, but determining the best way to make them available to the public is a complex challenge. Blog posts will highlight project plans and progress and invite feedback, allowing readers to participate in the development of the database. (Read or subscribe to blog.)

December 1, 2011

Due date for comments on exemption to prohibition on circumvention of copyright protection systems for access control technologies

December 8, 2011

Due date for objections to newly designated specialty stations

December 27, 2011

Due date for reply comments on updating regulations governing designation of online service agents

January 9, 2012

Due date for objections to newly designated specialty stations

January 9, 2012

Due date for responses to any of the MPAA objections

January 16, 2012

Due date for comments on small copyright claims

NewsNet is a free electronic newsletter that alerts subscribers to hearings, deadlines for comments, new and proposed regulations, new publications, and other copyright-related subjects. Subscriptions are offered in four topic areas:

What's New at the Copyright Office: general copyright-related news and additions to our website

eService updates

Licensing: updates on regulations and procedures for compulsory and statutory licenses

Legislative Developments: alerts on copyright-related bills introduced in Congress or enacted into law.